Burn injuries are some of the most painful and devastating personal injuries a person can suffer. Yes, you do need a lawyer for burn injury claims—especially if the injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, a workplace accident, defective products, or unsafe property conditions. Having a burn injury lawyer from Phillips Law Offices in Chicago, Illinois can make a significant difference in obtaining full and fair compensation for your physical pain, emotional suffering, lost income, and medical expenses. Without legal representation, insurance companies often minimize payouts, leaving victims struggling with financial and emotional burdens.
Understanding Burn Injury Claims
A burn injury claim is a legal action pursued when an individual sustains burns due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. These claims can arise from car accidents, building fires, chemical spills, electrical accidents, or faulty consumer products. In such cases, the responsible party or their insurance provider may be legally obligated to compensate the victim for damages.
Burn injuries are categorized by severity—first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, while third-degree burns destroy deeper tissues, often requiring surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. Severe burns not only cause immense physical pain but can also lead to scarring, infections, disfigurement, and lifelong emotional trauma.
When pursuing a burn injury claim, it’s essential to establish liability—proving that another party’s negligence directly caused the injury. This requires strong evidence, such as photographs, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. A lawyer helps collect and organize these details while ensuring that all legal deadlines and procedural requirements are met.
Why Hiring a Burn Injury Lawyer Is Essential
Handling a burn injury case without a lawyer can be risky. Insurance companies often try to settle for far less than what victims deserve. An experienced Chicago burn injury lawyer knows how to calculate the true value of your case, taking into account both current and future damages.
A skilled attorney from Phillips Law Offices will handle all communications with insurers, gather expert medical opinions, and negotiate aggressively to ensure that you receive fair compensation. Lawyers also help determine the long-term costs of care, including surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and possible loss of income due to disability.
In many burn cases, determining fault can be challenging. There may be multiple liable parties, such as property owners, manufacturers, employers, or contractors. Lawyers conduct investigations to identify all responsible entities and build a strong case backed by evidence. Without professional help, victims may miss out on compensation from secondary sources, such as workers’ compensation, product liability, or premises liability claims.
Types of Burn Injuries and Their Legal Implications
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns occur from exposure to flames, hot liquids, or steam. These are common in car crash, restaurant kitchens, and industrial settings. In legal terms, such injuries often involve negligence or safety violations, making it possible to file claims against employers, landlords, or manufacturers.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns result from exposure to corrosive substances like acids, alkalis, or cleaning products. They frequently occur in workplaces that handle hazardous materials. Employers are legally required to maintain proper safety protocols. Failure to do so can lead to a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the situation.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns happen due to contact with live electrical sources. These injuries are severe and can damage internal organs. Victims can pursue claims against negligent contractors, property owners, or utility companies that failed to ensure safe electrical systems.
Radiation and Friction Burns
Radiation burns can occur due to overexposure to medical equipment or industrial machinery, while friction burns often result from accidents involving motorcycles or machinery. Both types may lead to claims against healthcare providers or employers if negligence can be proven.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Illinois
In Chicago and across Illinois, burn injuries commonly occur due to preventable circumstances, including:
- Vehicle accidents where explosions or fires follow a collision
- Workplace hazards in construction, manufacturing, or chemical industries
- Defective products, such as faulty appliances, e-cigarettes, or batteries
- Unsafe premises, including poorly maintained rental properties or public buildings
- Medical negligence, such as burns caused by radiation therapy or surgical equipment
Each of these causes requires a specific legal approach. Lawyers at Phillips Law Offices carefully assess the facts, identify the negligent parties, and develop a personalized strategy to ensure victims receive maximum compensation.
Compensation Available in Burn Injury Claims
Victims of burn injuries may be entitled to multiple forms of compensation, including both economic and non-economic damages.
- Medical Expenses: Covers hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, therapy, and medication.
- Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Addresses emotional distress, trauma, and long-term physical discomfort.
- Disfigurement and Disability: Provides restitution for scarring and permanent loss of mobility.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or reckless behavior, additional penalties may apply.
An experienced Illinois burn injury lawyer ensures that every cost is accounted for, including future medical needs and ongoing therapy expenses.
How Phillips Law Offices Can Help
At Phillips Law Offices in Chicago, our team of dedicated attorneys has decades of experience handling severe burn injury cases. We understand that recovery is both physically and emotionally demanding. Our goal is to relieve your legal burden while you focus on healing.
We begin by thoroughly investigating your case, gathering medical records, and consulting experts to establish liability. We then engage in strong negotiations with insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Our firm is known for successfully representing victims of catastrophic injuries across Illinois. We fight tirelessly to ensure that negligent parties are held accountable and that our clients receive justice. Whether your burn injury occurred at work, on the road, or due to a defective product, we are here to guide you through every step.
Steps to Take After a Burn Injury
After sustaining a burn injury, your actions can significantly affect your legal case.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Proper treatment ensures your health and documents the extent of injuries.
- Preserve Evidence: Take photographs of your injuries, accident scene, and any defective products involved.
- Avoid Quick Settlements: Insurance adjusters may offer early settlements that undervalue your claim.
- Consult a Burn Injury Lawyer: Contact Phillips Law Offices before signing any documents to ensure your rights are protected.
Early legal intervention allows your lawyer to collect vital evidence, interview witnesses, and meet important filing deadlines under Illinois law.
When Should You Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer?
It’s best to contact a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. Illinois law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations. Delaying legal action can jeopardize your right to recover compensation.
If your injuries were caused by another’s negligence or unsafe working conditions, you should seek legal representation immediately. A lawyer helps determine whether to pursue a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation case, or both. Acting quickly ensures access to evidence and strengthens your case for a fair outcome.
Speak With Chicago Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injuries are life-changing events that demand strong legal representation. Trying to handle a burn injury claim without professional help can leave victims undercompensated and frustrated. Working with Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer at Phillips Law Offices ensures that your rights are protected and your case is handled with care, compassion, and skill.
Our lawyers are committed to helping burn injury victims secure justice and the financial recovery they need for a better future. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, don’t wait to seek help—contact Phillips Law Offices today for a free consultation.
Interesting Reads:
How is Fault Determined in a Burn Injury Case in Chicago?
$2.35 Million Settlement Successfully Obtained in a Gasoline Burn Lawsuit
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